Dorking & District U3a Trustees Annual Report for year ending 31 March 2024
Registered Charity 1005743
Reference and Administration details
The Charity has no independent address but for the purposes of this Return it will be:
2, The Street, Capel, Dorking, Surrey RH5 5LE
Charity Trustees
The following people served for the whole year unless otherwise indicated:
Beryl Sinclair Chair and Newsletter Editor Tony Parker Vice Chair Ianthe Cox Treasurer and Residential Trips Helen Mardell Secretary (from August 2023) John Sinclair Membership Secretary and Equipment Michael Docker Webmaster Deanne Rhodes Days Out & Monthly Speakers Linda Willmott Monthly Speakers Rosemary Harbridge Minutes Secretary
Structure Governance and Management
Dorking & District U3a is regulated by the Third Age Trust and is an unincorporated association governed by a constitution. The Committee and Trustees are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Objectives and Activities
The aims of the U3a are to promote the further education and well-being of middle aged and older members, who are not in full time remunerated employment in Dorking and the surrounding area. Live, Laugh and Learn. Dorking & District U3a supports and encourages up to 60 interest groups, all of which are led by the members. An example of subjects covered are Art and Architecture, Music, Bridge, Pilates, Exercise Classes, Walking, Languages and Science, Photography plus many others. New groups have been introduced in this past year, including Culture Companions for theatre trips.
In organising the many activities of the U3a, the Trustees are mindful of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and are grateful to the unstinting efforts of the many volunteers who make the Charity so effective.
DORKING & DISTRICT U3a
Trustees Annual Report for year ending 31 March 2024 continued.
Achievement and Performance
During this financial year, April 2023-March 2024, Dorking U3a has continued to build on the recovery from the effects of the Pandemic. The membership is now returning to face-to-face meetings, outings, events and residential trips. Monthly meetings have been held at St Joseph’s Church Hall but still continue as a hybrid meeting for the few who are unable to physically attend the meeting. Attendance figures have certainly increased.
The first day out was to Arundel Castle in April for the Tulip festival. This was followed by visits to Reading and Henley, the Sussex coast, Wisley, Whitstable, London for our popular Christmas lights cruise and finally the Gilded Age in London in February. Sadly, a planned trip to the New Forest was cancelled due to lack of support.
The first residential trip was to Suffolk in May2023, followed by an autumnal trip to Northumbria in October 2023. Both were well supported and very successful.
The events calendar included the Solstice Picnic in June at Buckland Park Lake. This was well supported with 104 people in attendance.
Burns Night was celebrated on 25 January 2024, complete with Piper and was very successful.
Quarterly newsletters continue to be produced and the enhanced website has improved the contact with the membership, and enables activities to be booked online.
Financial Review
The accounts to the end of the financial year in March 2024 continue to show the gradual recovery from the pandemic effect. The Membership subscription is still £16 and numbers show a slight increase. Costs have been carefully monitored and show only a slight increase on the previous year, despite the cost-of-living crisis.
Committee meetings have been held on Zoom which saves the cost of a room hire, fuel and parking.
The administration credit balance at the end of March 2024 shows a small increase of 5% from £10,073 to £10,589.
The policy of the Dorking & District U3a is to retain general fund reserves equivalent to six months normal expenditure. The Trustees consider the reserves to be sufficient and believe that they have not been duly affected by the pandemic
DORKING & DISTRICT U3a
Trustees Annual Report for year ending 31 March 2024 continued.
The Group expenses and receipts reflect the resumption of the group activity and the introduction of new groups.
The Social Events account shows a similar reflection of increased activity.
Risk and Internal Control
The Trustees have reviewed the risk to the assets of the Charity and consider the controls against material mismanagement or loss currently in place are adequate
Signed : Helen Mardell Date : 23.6.24
Helen Mardell – Hon Secretary on behalf of:
DORKING & DISTRICT U3a
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Dorking & District U3a
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts for Dorking & District U3a for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trustees’ accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act, and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept by the Trustees as required by section 130 of the Act, or
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the accounts do not accord with those records, or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed : Christine Braidwood
Date 23.6.24
Mrs C E Braidwood FCA
Chartered Accountant Lowood, The Street, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DJ
DORKING & DISTRICT U3a FINANCIAL YEAR RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS REPORT For the year ended 31[st] March 2024
| MAIN ACCOUNT | 2023/2024 | 2022/23 |
|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS | £ | £ |
| TOTAL SUBSCRIPTIONS | 9,080.79 | 8,952 |
| Subscriptions to 31 March | 5,380.90 | 5,194 |
| Subscriptions in advance 2023 | 3,699.89 | 3,758 |
| Gift Aid | 1,096.95 | 1,043 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 | |
| Total Receipts Main Account | 10,177.74 | 9,996 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Third Age Trust | -4,710.98 | -4,581 |
| Printing/Stationery | -2,342.01 | -1,910 |
| Purchases | -307 | |
| Hall Hire | -435 | -400 |
| Speakers | -1,180 | -880 |
| Catering | -70.2 | -116 |
| Postage | -471.04 | -316 |
| Website | -280.59 | -268 |
| Zoom | -156.53 | -174 |
| Miscellaneous | -15 | -156 |
| Total Payments Main Account | -9,661.35 | -9,108 |
| Net Surplus/Deficit | 516.39 | 888 |
| Balance at start of year 01 April | 10,072.68 | 9,184 |
| Balance carried forward at 31 March | 10,589.07 | 10,072 |
| GROUP ACCOUNT | ||
| Receipts | 17,765.20 | 13,123 |
| Payments | -18,403.80 | -13,599 |
| Net Surplus/Deficit | -638.60 | -476 |
| Balance at start of year 01 April | 3,797.82 | 4,274 |
| Balance carried forward at 31 March | 3,159.22 | 3798 |
| SOCIAL EVENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| Receipts | 17,764.14 | 12,301 |
| Payments | -17,934.70 | -11,459 |
| Net Surplus/Deficit | -170.56 | 842 |
| Balance at start of year 01 April | 4,530.27 | 3,688 |
| Balance carried forward at 31 March | 4,359.71 | 4,530 |
DORKING & DISTRICT U3a
| Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31st March 2024 ASSETS MAIN ACCOUNT GROUPS ACCOUNT SOCIAL EVENTS ACCOUNT PETTY CASH TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Subscriptions in advance March expenses to be paid TOTAL LIABILITIES |
£ 10,589.07 3,159.22 4,359.71 25.00 18,133.00 3,699.89 3,699.89 |
£ 10,072 3,798 4,530 25 18,425 3,758 651 4,409 |
|---|---|---|
The above accounts have been approved by the Trustees of Dorking & District U3a and signed on their behalf by:
Helen Mardell - Hon Secretary - DORKING U3a
Date : 23.6.24